was also shot during that confrontation. he was pronounced dead at the scene. >> to politics now and taxes. they are at the heart of the negotiations over the fiscal cliff. democrats want to raise them for the wealthy. republicans say no. >> now one leading republican may be breaking ranks. georgia senator saxby chambliss now says a no tax pledge signed by most republicans is standing in the way of getting a deal done. >> times have changed significantly. i care more about this country than i do about a 20-year-old pledge. i think we owe the debt and we've got figure out a way to pay it. >> specifically, chambliss was talking about grover norquist and his group americans for tax reform. they put out that no tax pledge. norquist talked about it on cnn's situation room". >> the commitment he made to the people of georgia was not to me. it was a written commitment to the people of georgia that he would go to washington to reduce government spending and reform government, not raise taxes. if he wants to change his mind and become a tax increaser, so we don't have to reform government, he needs

're keeping score, there are 37 days left until we hit the cliff and tax rates go up for every american. cnn's athena jones has more now on the any dwoenany negotiation. randi, folks here in washington are wondering if this week will mark a turning point between republicans and democrats. after meeting with president obama before the thanksgiving holiday -- >> well, i want to welcome the conventional leadership here -- >> reporter: congressional leaders express optimism about reaching a deal to avoid $500 billion in tax increases and spending cuts set to take effect next year. >> we had a very constructive meeting with the president to talk about america's fiscal problem. >> we have the corner stones of being able to work something out. >> reporter: staffers have been working behind the scenes to find common ground. the big sticking points, how to bring in more tax revenue and reduce things like medicare. but it's not clear when the president and lawmakers will meet next. and even if some progress is made this week, a final deal could still be a long way off. >> we rarely see the hill and th

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